Page 38 of A Scottish Love Story
‘Yes, truly. I am. I’m so sorry I didn’t phone earlier. The journey was fine. Steve, Lucy’s husband, met me at Derby, which saved some time.’ She went on to tell him about Lucy and the twins, then she hesitated.
‘But?’ Ciaran asked seriously. ‘Have you quarrelled with your brother? He sounds pleasant enough on the phone.’
‘We haven’t quarrelled at all. I feel so sorry and sick at heart for Tommy, but he is trying hard to be as normal as possible. He has troubles of his own. Serious troubles. I understand now why he didn’t get in touch and confide in me. It was nothing to do with Father’s will, or money.’
‘Is that what is upsetting you, Roxie?’
‘Partly, but I got upset when I arrived and came up to my old room. All the pieces of antique furniture my grandmother left me have disappeared. You probably think it silly of me to care so much about old bits of wood.’ She gulped, still distressed, although she tried to make light of the situation.
‘I don’t think it’s silly, Roxie. I have never heard you make a drama about anything, however important. Besides if they are antiques, presumably they will be worth something.’
‘They were, but it is not the money so much as the sentimental value. One of them belonged to my great-grandmother so it was... Oh, Ciaran, this is ridiculous going on about things, but I c-can’t forgive Gilda for selling my possessions. I think she hoped I would never return.’
‘She sold them? Even though she knew they were yours?’
‘Tommy has contacted Dad’s solicitor. He thinks he associates with the antique dealer who bought them, so we may manage to get them back. Anyway, I’m sure you must be bored with my moans. Don’t tell your mother. She worries about people. Give her my love, and Jenny too.’
‘What about me? Don’t I get any?’ Ciaran asked, and she could hear the smile in his voice.
‘I’m so pleased to hear you, you can have all my love. Thank you for being so understanding.’ It was easier to admit how much she cared on the phone and she was trying hard to respond to his lighter manner.
‘I hope you mean that, Roxie. I can be a very demanding man,’ Ciaran said. ‘I sent for a catalogue of the sale and it arrived in today’s post. I thought they weren’t published yet?’
‘They are. The auction firm wanted to get them out in good time, to let people know the sale was being held because it’s not a lot of notice. I am hoping I shall not find many errors. If there are any, they are going to publish supplementary pages and hand them out at the sale. What did you think of the breeding?’ she asked.
‘I’m impressed. I fear they will be beyond my price range. I noticed your father has used the Sunwick bull a lot. That surprised me. I have had three of my cows inseminated bythat bull. I think he is one of the best breeding bulls presently available. How did your father get so much of him?’
‘My father owned him,’ she said quietly.
‘Heownedhim? My goodness, Roxie, and you never boasted or even breathed a word.’
‘He bought the bull’s mother as an in-calf cow. She calved at the farm when we were about to load her in the trailer to bring her home. Old Mr Lister, who owned her, said he would like to register the calf with his own herd prefix because it would be the last calf he would ever have to register. As the bull calf began to mature, my father thought he was a fine specimen, plus his mother was milking well and she had a lovely calm temperament. So, he kept him for a stock bull. He used him more than he would normally have done. The buyer for one of the artificial insemination companies saw his progeny and asked if he could bring one of the directors to see him with a view to buying him. So that’s the history.’
‘Quite a history, I’d say.’ Ciaran whistled. ‘I expect you’re ready for a good sleep now. I’m missing you, Roxie. I might phone tomorrow night to see how you’re getting on, if that’s all right?’
‘Oh, yes. I would like that.’
‘That’s good. Night, night, and sweet dreams.’ Roxie thought she heard him blow a kiss down the phone and she smiled happily, greatly cheered at the end of an awful day.
Chapter 13
Roxie was up early the following morning to help Tommy with the milking and to refresh her memory regarding the individual cows, their breeding and their present yields. The cows were ambling into the gathering area ready for milking when she entered the parlour. There was a young man standing in the pit ready to wash the udders of the first cows in the stalls before putting on the milking machines.
‘Good morning.’ Roxie greeted him with a smile.
‘Good morning. I’m Harry. Tommy said you would probably be here before we finished the milking. I don’t think he expected you would be out before we had begun,’ he added with a grin.
‘The sooner I get into a routine, the better,’ Roxie said. ‘We shall have a busy ten days ahead of us if we’re to show all the animals at their best on sale day.’
‘Yes, Tommy says you’re very good at cattle-dressing and trimming them into shape. I have never done any of that, but I’m keen to learn. I have been trying to learn about the pedigrees and how the cows are bred, so I’m disappointed Tommy has decided to sell them.’
‘Not all young men take such an interest in their animals. Are you staying on here to help with the beef cattle when Tommy gets some?’
‘No. Tommy gave me a good reference and I’ve got a job as assistant dairyman in a big herd about twenty miles away in the next county. They’re not pedigree, though. The owner is a dealer.’ He gave a little shudder. ‘There are all sort of breeds, depending what he picks up at the markets. It’s not what I would have liked, but I shall be able to stay with my mother now I have bought a motorbike. She is not keeping well so the company, as well as the money, should help her a lot.’
What a pleasant, genuine sort of young man he is, Roxie thought. He would have been a great asset to Tommy if he had wanted to carry on dairying. As they worked together, she was surprised how many of the cows he already recognised and knew by name and number.
Tommy ushered the last of the stragglers into the gathering area to await their turn, then he joined them in the pit of the parlour.
